Grade 6 Week 1 - Arizona Department of Education

Quetzalcoatl and the Discovery of Corn
According to Aztec legend, there were four destroyed worlds that existed before the
creation of the Fifth Sun (this world and time). The earth and sky had been created in the Fifth
Sun and humans had been brought to life by the gods. Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent god,
had helped create the new world and the humans. When the work of creation was finished, the
gods looked upon the beautiful green earth, the bright blue sky, the shimmering seas and the
newly-formed humans. As they gazed at the humans, they noticed how weak they seemed and
realized that their work was not done. The humans needed food to keep them alive.
The gods decided that they must look for food for the humans to eat, but what should
they look for As they all thought about this, Quetzalcoatl looked down and saw a small, red ant
that was carrying a kernel of corn in its mouth. He asked, “Where did you get this corn” The ant
did not answer, but continued walking. So, Quetzalcoatl turned himself into a black ant and
followed her.
At last they came to the bottom of a large mountain called the Mountain of Sustenance.
The small red ant, not knowing the black ant was Quetzalcoatl, went inside this mountain.
Quetzalcoatl followed, and found inside many things that were good to eat. He quickly gathered
some corn and returned to the world of the gods. The gods chewed on the corn to make a paste
and Quetzalcoatl placed it on the lips of the humans, who were weak with hunger. The humans
became stronger and honored the gods who had saved them.
Next the gods thought about what to do with the Mountain of Sustenance and all that
was inside it. Quetzalcoatl wanted to give the food inside to the people so that they would
worship the gods. At first, Quetzalcoatl tried to drag the mountain to the home of the gods, but
the mountain would not move. Next, the gods broke it open with a stick and took the corn,
beans, and everything else good to eat from inside. This is how Quetzalcoatl gave humans food
to plant and to live.
Arizona Department of Education 22
Language Arts Grade 6 Week 1